Sharjah: All the teams that participated in the 40th edition of Bukhatir League are already gearing up to win the next edition of the oldest cricket tournament in the UAE.
All the teams consider the event, which has been held without a break for four decades, as the most prestigious around.
Named after Abdul Rehman Bukhatir, who brought international cricket to UAE, the tournament has attracted both domestic and international cricketers.
Through a colourful ceremony held at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, the top performers of the 40th edition of this tournament were honoured this week. Champions Danube Lions team and runners-up Grand Midwest Royals received trophies and cash awards from Waleed Bukhatir, the vice-chairman of Sharjah Cricket Council and son of Abdul Rehman Bukhatir.
The tournament, which has always received huge sponsorship support, was sponsored by Interface Transworld, which backed the UAE national team at the 1996 World Cup. Nalin Khaitan of Interface was also present to give away the prizes.
Waleed Bukhatir, who as a child used to accompany his father who played regularly in the tournament, also took part in the event in his younger days.
Incidentally, the tournament was launched on cement tracks near Al Khan before being held on turf wicket at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from 1981. “We congratulate Danube Lions for having made it all the way to the title and wish all the teams best of luck for the future tournaments,” Bukhatir said.
Accepting his best wishes for better luck in the coming years, Zafar Shah, chairman of Grand Midwest, which owns Grand Midwest Royals, added: “We were unlucky in the final but we promise to come back stronger next year and go one step better. We are happy with the way the boys have performed this year.”
For Anis Sajan, the owner of Danube Lions and managing director of Danube Group, winning the Bukhatir League was a dream come true. “The Bukhatir League is the most prestigious trophy that has been played over the past four decades, and to emerge as the champions of this tournament was one of my dreams. It is a big boost to our players on having won it this year especially beating some of the teams which were made up of top international cricketers.”
The best batsman of the tournament award was won by Pakistan Test star Hasan Raza, who played for Alubond Tigers.
Other leading Pakistan players such as Umar Akmal and Kamran Akmal also took part in the event this year.
Yet despite the presence of these star names, UAE all-rounder Rohan Mustafa of Danube Lions won the player of the tournament award, while Tariq Khan of Abu Dhabi Gymkhana was adjudged best bowler.
